Yesterday while praying for the lost people on my OIKOS Evangelism List, I noticed some black birds outside the window. About two dozen of them alternated sitting on tree limbs and looking for something to eat on the ground. They fluttered to and fro, until after a few minutes they all flew away.
An image from the New Testament filled my thoughts. Jesus once described evangelism as a farmer sowing seeds of grain in a field. Some of the seed fell on the hardened path at the edge of the garden, where birds came and ate it. He said the seed is the word of God and farmer is a believer who is witnessing or sharing God’s word with those who are lost. The ground, including the field and the path, are lost people. The seed takes root in some people and produces fruit. Others are like the hardened path where seed just lies there and is eaten by the birds – in this case Satan.
Watching those birds through my window while praying for the lost persons God had put on my heart was a powerful and moving experience. I prayed that the seed I and others are planting in their lives would take root and not be stolen by the evil one. I prayed about specific situations in their lives that I know are opportunities for Satan to influence them.
Who are the lost people God wants you to plant the seed of His word into their lives? Are you praying for them?
Satan’s black birds are already at work in the lives of the lost people you know. You and I need to be busy working as well.
Pastor Steve Hogg
Mitzie Rock says
Tending my garden and keeping my “seeds” watered and fertile with testimony and praise. The joy of planting is watching it grow. The heavens rejoice when another child comes home.